Are you elderly and having memory or concentration problems?

November 7, 2012

(Credit: Wikimedia Commons)

They might be caused by common medications used to treat insomnia, anxiety, itching or allergies, according to Dr. Cara Tannenbaum, Research Chair at the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal (IUGM, Montreal Geriatric University Institute) and Associate Professor of Medicine and Pharmacy at the University of Montreal (UdeM).

Up to 90 percent of people over the age of 65 take at least one prescription medication. Eighteen percent of people in this age group complain of memory problems and are found to have mild cognitive deficits. Research suggests there may be a link between the two.

Dr. Tannenbaum recently led a team of international researchers to investigate which medications are most likely to affect amnestic (memory) or non-amnestic (attention, concentration, performance) brain functions. After analyzing the results from 162 experiments on medications with potential to bind to cholinergic, histamine, GABAergic or opioid receptors in the brain, Dr. Tannenbaum concluded that the episodic use of several medications can cause amnestic or non-amnestic deficits.

The 68 trials on benzodiazepines (which are often used to treat anxiety and insomnia) that were analyzed showed that these drugs consistently lead to impairments in memory and concentration, with a clear dose-response relationship. The 12 tests on antihistamines and the 15 tests on tricyclic antidepressants showed deficits in attention and information processing. Dr. Tannenbaum’s findings support the recommendation issued in the Revised Beers Criteria published last spring 2012 by the American Geriatrics Society that all sleeping pills, first-generation antihistamines, and tricyclic antidepressants should be avoided at all costs in seniors. (See list below.)

However, “despite the known risks, it may be better for some patients to continue their medication instead of having to live with intolerable symptoms,” says Dr. Tannenbaum. “Each individual has a right to make an informed choice based on preference and a thorough understanding of the effects the medications may have on their memory and function.”

Research summary

MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of adults without underlying central nervous system disorders who underwent detailed neuropsychological testing prior to and after oral administration of drugs affecting cholinergic, histaminergic, GABAergic or opioid receptor pathways. Seventy-eight studies were identified, reporting 162 trials testing medication from the four targeted drug classes. Two investigators independently appraised study quality and extracted relevant data on the occurrence of amnestic, non-amnestic or combined cognitive deficits induced by each drug class. Only trials using validated neuropsychological tests were included. Quality of the evidence for each drug class was assessed based on consistency of results across trials and the presence of a dose-response gradient. This research was conducted in collaboration with researchers at the University of Sydney, the University of Calgary and the University of Iowa College of Public Health.

Drugs to avoid

At KurzweilAI’s request, Dr. Tannenbaum provided the following list of the most dangerous drugs shown to affect memory (generic names):

That was hilarious!!! To be honest, I’ve never been in a fist fight. My shop is in a bad nieghborhood. My next door neighbor shot a guy right through the cheek, in front of his house. Marquis disappeared for two years. One day he and his brother mocked on the door. When I opened it and saw him, I gave him a great big hug. It was nice to see my friend again. He is so street and different from me. His brother was into all that Malcom X stuff. Rahim wanted me to help him get his high school equivalency. I told him I wasn’t a good choice. I made sure I passed, but that I hated school. I’ve never been in an argument with either one of them, even though I’m ” whitey”. My business associate is Polish, about 6ft4, and trained in karate. His teacher was world champion for one year. Ziggy used to work in a junk yard. For practice he used to punch out car windows. We’ve hhad many arguments and he has smashed a few things in front of me, when he gets real mad. I’ve said to him each time that it would be foolish of me to strike him and that smashing whatever he smashes, won’t resolve what we are arguing about. He usually apologizes. We still work together and try to help each other as much as possible. At times he calls me names. Usually dam liberal! He wanted Romney to win. X has written more nasty insults than I’ve heard for the last ten years. I’d still like to hear his opinion. I think he is smart, even if we don’t see eye to eye. I don’t see eye to eye with Ziggy, Marquis, or Rahim.. We each come from very different worlds. I would like this forum to be more civil. I don’t see me and Gordon arguing. I still value X’s opinion. I don’t understand why he is as ante America as he is. The war of 1812 documentary is a classic example. When o set down to watch it I thought I was going to be shocked. Instead it said exactly what I said. A largely unremembered war for both sides, started by a British blockade. Not a lot of support for the war in America. Only a faction of hawks wanted expansion, the American colander was snot at by the quebecians, Britain and America had no interest in escalating it further, so it was considered a draw, we repelled some British attacks, we had no real army. Nothing about grand nefarious plans of manifest destiny. No evil empire. Have a nice day

Some find any excuse for an argument, calm down dears.
Back to topic.
This is interesting, and I did read about it a few days ago, but few details other than the usual suspects the diazepam family. Now I see Amitriptyline is implicated, and I’m taking that, although in very small dose 2x10mg. My memory is crap, but that’s more to do with non prescription drugs… but I shall speak to my doctor about the Amitriptyline as I can’t afford to lose any more memory or I’ll forget who I am. Now where was I ?
I think the biggest danger with older people is having nothing to do and thus little to engage the mind and exercise the mental muscles. Since I’m way past retirement age but still working, that takes care of that, and as I shall have to work till I drop or decide to go, I imagine I’ll stay about the same, which is brighter than the average still, so I’m not too bothered. As well as working, I also run half a dozen websites, and keep taking on new skills which have to be learned, do a lot of researching and writing and exercise the other muscles with two dogs who take me for walks, so probably covered. I have no idea what nootropics are however, so more to research. It’s all go.

I wonder, if articles like this were posted as regularly as a typical drug regimen would it make people more apt to pursue a healthy lifestyle to avoid having to undergo a drug regimen (since all drugs have side-effects)? Certainly makes me take stock.

Instead of drugs after 65 years of age, learn to play classical music and study music theory, read lots of books, play golf, tennis and walk a lot. Improve your diet, improve your exercise program (Huh???). Take a one-half hour nap every afternoon; have someone wake you up at the half hour. Let’s see, what else don’t you want to do? Hmmmmmm!!!

Hey Bob, Glad you posted because it’s good advice. But has it ever occured to you that there are many seniors who follow your regimen to the T (to use an old expression) and still suffer from insomnia? Nature didn’t make us all the same, so stop with the bragging and scorning. (Huh???)

That’s why I tried to warn people here 2 days ago not to take “brain enhancers”, at least not YET.
Your body, and specially your brain (or what is left of it, if you are above 18), is a highly optimized system (however intrinsically retarded it undoubtedly is). One variable you try to artificially change somewhere, it is another you throw out elsewhere. You got a BBB for a reason, use it! Do not try to hack it!

I am a willing trial subject for well tested nootropics. The benefits are potentially great. Since aging is 100 percent certain to change one’s brain for the worse, taking measures to counteract that decline is rational.

Oh, you want me to enlighten you now?! Want me to Google that for you?;-)
Only a lowly life would ask anyone to define something human scientists took ages NOT to find out! Specially in a little claustrophobic space like this one!

I could probably do it;-) it is not like human scientists are the smartest ones on the galaxy LMAO! but… I won’t, first because you do not deserve it, but also because Bri would come around and say I said it “too generally” in too few words and “ANY thing I say is superfluous” to this site.. hahaha! Oh, and you would not be thankful afterwards either…Haven’t you got so pleeenty of time to learn? Why should I deny you the satisfaction of self edification? so, yeah, enjoy your QUEST! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA

@ Marcos: I knew you couldn’t do it.An idiot would deliberately use words he doesn’t know^^

I can help you out with some working definition: Inter (latin)- between, legere (reading). In it’s broadest sense this word denotes the ability to understand (read) things that come into your awareness.

Well, if you knew about science, the concept of theory, and how “natural sciences” differ from mathematics and logic, you could have given an answer. In some sense, Ray’s new book is about this topic, depending on how you stretch the word intelligent.

On nootropics: Do you really want to refrain from using nootropics, just because this guy (!) thinks you don’t need them!?They can make your task of combatting mental decline easier, but of course you should research this topic carefully.Then you can decide more rationally.

It’s not me who throw terms around in the pathetic hope of sounding like he knows it — (cost-benifit analysis)^^ — Duuuhhh

“: I knew you couldn’t do it.”

Like I said, that is what makes you a LOW LIFE! Even in your thousands year old roman’s perspective you obviously don’t have intelligence, you can’t even READ what is directly in front of you! Much less BETWEEN them, btw, it would make you look less of a cheap copy&paste phony if you at least explained why the etymology convey the meaning you’re after, or you really think simply connecting 2 latin words is smart?!

After what I said of scores of scientists and thinkers taking ages and still not arriving at a good definition, you think it makes you look any good by copying and pasting a WORKING DEFINITION and stating it helps anything? LOL you are delusional! you should indeed try nootropics just to keep up for a while! Go ahead and post your depressed consequences here too, not only with the other time bombs there, MWAHAHAHA

Ps.: Notice how a hypocrite you are. You say I cant “infer” anything from posts, but you state paragraph after paragraph of stuff you can’t even TRY TO INFER from posts! LOL not very logical right? hehehe

And you call yourself smart.Well, hopefully you are trying to be funny, because that must be a joke.I clearly answered your “points”.The only thing you can do is ignore what I said.Then, if you use words you don’t know, why should I teach you?